So you’re designing your own collection and you want to be a world-famous fashion designer. Join the club! With the glamorous image that is attached to the fashion industry, it seems like everyone wants to be a designer. Not only do you have to compete with already established professional designers, but nowadays throw pop singers, celebrities, and TV stars into the mix. And before you even get to that level, you have to get noticed in the sea of aspiring designers, all vying for their chance to shine.
If you want to make your mark and get noticed in the industry, you have to make sure your designs stand out amongst the swarm of pretty outfits already crowding the runways. If your vision is just to design pretty clothes, the chances of your work getting noticed are like finding a needle in a haystack! The cliché advice, which you’ve probably heard a million times, is to design for a niche market. But what exactly does that mean?
If you want to make your mark and get noticed in the industry, you have to make sure your designs stand out amongst the swarm of pretty outfits already crowding the runways. If your vision is just to design pretty clothes, the chances of your work getting noticed are like finding a needle in a haystack! The cliché advice, which you’ve probably heard a million times, is to design for a niche market. But what exactly does that mean?
Here’s our take on finding a niche: find a cause, and design for that cause. Choose something that you’re passionate about or pick a theme and design for that theme. Create a trademark that you will become known for. Betsey Johnson is known for her funky, extreme, one-of-a-kind garments that reflect her quirky personality. Diesel used the daily life of construction workers to build their highly functional, hardware driven signature style. Don’t stop at a specific theme- really make a statement by focusing on a specific item or two. Instead of trying to design it all, choose a particular piece and make it your own. Ralph Lauren did it with neck ties, which eventually developed into his equestrian signature style. Calvin Klein started with coats, and is now a leading name in fashion, with different brands and licenses that span from sportswear, to underwear.
Designs will receive more attention when they consistently focus around a specific element or concept, and in turn that concept will become your signature. Support environmental preservation, by creating a line of knits from recycled cotton. Or maybe you’re a strong advocate for animal rights- make a statement with faux fur in bright colors. Once your line is well known and established, you can always expand. Whatever you decide to focus your collection on, make sure it’s something you believe in and are passionate about. It shows when your designs come from the heart, therefore your inspiration will be endless.
Once you’ve selected your cause and designed an amazing collection around it, how do you make sure your designs get noticed? Fortunately, modern technology makes promoting yourself a much easier task. There are tons of websites that showcase emerging design talent. Nolcha, of course, is a prime example. There are also underground designer showcases like www.underground-nyc.com that give beginner designers their own venue space. You bring the designs - they bring in the crowds.
In recent years, there has been a shift in the fashion industry. Consumers have begun searching for more unique, down to earth sources for their fashion needs. New designers are recognized for their individual style and discovered in unconventional places. Developing a unique flair that speaks for your collection will put you on your way to standing out from the crowd.
- Kristen
contact@designersnexus.com
www.designersnexus.com
www.fashionfrog.com
Designs will receive more attention when they consistently focus around a specific element or concept, and in turn that concept will become your signature. Support environmental preservation, by creating a line of knits from recycled cotton. Or maybe you’re a strong advocate for animal rights- make a statement with faux fur in bright colors. Once your line is well known and established, you can always expand. Whatever you decide to focus your collection on, make sure it’s something you believe in and are passionate about. It shows when your designs come from the heart, therefore your inspiration will be endless.
Once you’ve selected your cause and designed an amazing collection around it, how do you make sure your designs get noticed? Fortunately, modern technology makes promoting yourself a much easier task. There are tons of websites that showcase emerging design talent. Nolcha, of course, is a prime example. There are also underground designer showcases like www.underground-nyc.com that give beginner designers their own venue space. You bring the designs - they bring in the crowds.
In recent years, there has been a shift in the fashion industry. Consumers have begun searching for more unique, down to earth sources for their fashion needs. New designers are recognized for their individual style and discovered in unconventional places. Developing a unique flair that speaks for your collection will put you on your way to standing out from the crowd.
- Kristen
contact@designersnexus.com
www.designersnexus.com
www.fashionfrog.com
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